In previous years, students have achieved individual victories and many podium finishes, but this is the first time they have fulfilled the dream of being named the world’s best. 

In the international Formula Student product development competition, teams design, build, and showcase a real-life formula car prototype, and put it to the test in competition conditions. According to team captain, Tallinn University of Technology student Harry Aus, they achieved this through 18 years of hard work, sleepless nights, and dedication. “We managed to outdo the top European university teams, proving that Estonia is a major force despite its small size! Though there is no automotive industry in Estonia, and a major shortage of engineers, with the determination and stubbornness typical of Estonians, anything is possible!”

Robert-Juss Soe, captain of the dynamics team and a student at TTK University of Applied Sciences, knows how to build the world’s best car in the Formula Student class: “To build an electric formula car weighing only 169 kg, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds, and generating 3G lateral acceleration in corners at just 65 km/h, you need Estonian engineering students – only from Estonia, because the others don’t manage as well! The 18.5 kg carbon fibre body, the electric motors we developed and assembled ourselves, and an aerodynamic package that left Ferrari and Dallara engineers speechless—these are just some of our achievements this season.”

The Estonian team began competing in 2006, at first with a car with an internal combustion engine. Based on previous results and comparisons with their competitors, the team sets goals for the new car each year. The electric formula car of recent years has been designed to operate either with a driver or driverless.

Hendrik Voll, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Tallinn University of Technology, emphasizes that the Formula Student competition is very important for top technical universities, both in Europe and in the US: “When I met a colleague from ETH Zurich this fall, he said two things—‘We admire your formula team, which was the only one faster than the ETH Zurich team, and we admire your high level in organizing these competitions’. These are practical things that are important—people notice them and respect us for them. We must continue to invest in these areas.”

The Formula Student project is a collaboration between students from Tallinn University of Technology and TTK University of Applied Sciences. One part of the competition is to defend the car’s design, cost report, and business plan in front of top automotive industry engineers. Then, points are awarded in dynamic events that test the car’s performance. The climax of the season is the international competition, where the car’s reliability, speed, and overall capabilities are tested. This year, Estonia’s team came out on top, with the FH Joanneum Graz team second, and ETH Zurich third.

Tarmo Sildeberg, Vice-Rector for Development at TTK University of Applied Science, states that the Formula Student project calls for strong and trusting teamwork, just as in major motorsports. “A driver alone does nothing without a navigator and technical team. Similarly, the Estonian Formula Student team has succeeded in reaching the top because of both knowledge and practice, coming from the excellent cooperation between students from Tallinn University of Technology and TTTK University of Applied Science. These students are united by their sporting spirit and a shared goal, which they have achieved through practical product development and top-tier engineering knowledge. We have reason to be proud, and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to our Formula Student project,” says Sildeberg.

Team captain Aus also thanks everyone who believes in the team and finds the time to support them. “Without our supporters, this would not have been possible. Now, the only thing left is to continue with the same momentum next season.” He emphasizes the sense of teamwork and cooperation toward a common goal. This season, the team had a record 100 members, 15 of whom were women. Every year, part of the team changes to involve more students, who gain practical experience and knowledge by taking part in the project.